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In Vermont, the cheapest SR-22 insurance options are offered by Nationwide at $845 per year and State Farm at $903 per year. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on your location, driving history, and insurance provider.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. If you’ve been ordered to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs.

Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record usually leads to higher premiums, and some carriers won’t cover such drivers, so finding affordable options is essential.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to learn more about SR-22s, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility proves you have the minimum liability insurance coverage your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver because of traffic violations, a DUI/DWI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court might require you to get an SR-22. This is a certificate your insurance company files on your behalf with your state Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV).

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, but it’s often required after serious offenses. Having an SR-22 can make your insurance more expensive, and not all insurers will cover you because you’re considered a high-risk driver.

Key Takeaways

  • SR-22 car insurance in Vermont costs $1,140, on average.
  • Nationwide offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance policies in Vermont at $845 per year.
  • SR-22 insurance isn’t a separate policy, but a form your insurance company files to with the state DMV to prove you have the required minimum coverage.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Vermont?

As mentioned before, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. It’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV to show that you have the required minimum coverage, even with certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is usually low, but insurance with an SR-22 can be expensive.

Here are few offenses that might require an SR-22:

  • DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
  • Reckless driving
  • Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
  • Accumulation of too many driving violation points
  • Driving without insurance

If you are convicted of any of these violations, you might need an SR-22. After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

You usually have to keep the SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, your license could be suspended.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Vermont

The average SR-22 car insurance cost in Vermont is $1,140.

This is $125 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,901 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Vermont

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in Vermont.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Nationwide$845$70
State Farm$903$75
American Family$915$76
GEICO$916$76
Auto-Owners$919$77
Allstate$1,732$144
Progressive$2,119$177
USAA*$770$64

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Cheap SR-22 insurance in Vermont by city

As discussed above, where you live greatly affects how much SR-22 insurance costs. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Vermont.

CityAverage annual premium
Alburgh$827
Derby$828
Barre$837
Montpelier$837
Burlington$839
South Burlington$839
Perkinsville$845
Rutland$856
Vergennes$856
Jeffersonville$857

SR-22 insurance requirements in Vermont

The Vermont DMV requires all drivers to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

  • $25,000 for injury or death per person
  • $50,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts recommend getting more coverage than the mandated minimum coverage. Although it may raise your premium, the added coverage could prove highly beneficial.

How much does SR-22 in Vermont cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies differ in the premiums they charge for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” refers to the cost of a policy, including the SR-22 filing fee, without factoring in the reason you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$983 $903
Auto-Owners$1,533 $919
Nationwide$1,551 $845
American Family$1,945 $915
Allstate$2,240 $1,732
Progressive$2,288 $2,119
GEICO$2,479 $916
USAA*$1,565 $770

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Vermont

If you have an SR-22 in Vermont, you might think you are doomed to pay inflated insurance rates. But just because you need an SR-22 doesn’t mean you’ll end up paying the highest rates.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies might even specialize in high-risk drivers and be able to offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, Vermont, recommends the following:

  • Shopping around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
  • Pay upfront: If possible, paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.

Opt for non-owner insurance: If you don’t own a vehicle but want to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Vermont

Some states might require you to get an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This proves you have the minimum liability insurance your state requires, which is often needed to get your driver’s license back after a suspension or revocation for violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for people who don’t own a car but still drive and need to meet SR-22 requirements or maintain coverage. This type of insurance provides liability protection when driving someone else’s car and helps you meet state requirements to get your license back after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s generally a cheaper option than a standard car insurance policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Vermont

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember, an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. It’s a certificate that proves to your state’s DMV that you have the required minimum insurance coverage.

For example, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to show that you have enough insurance to meet financial responsible.

Remember, not all driving offenses need an SR-22. You’ll be notified if you do. If you’re unsure, check with your local DMV office or a lawyer who specializes in traffic law.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Vermont?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

During this period, you must maintain continuous coverage without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurer must notify the state, which could result in further penalties or a license suspension.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Vermont

Vermont’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $1,140, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Vermont, which is $1,057. That means Vermont’s SR-22 rate is $83 more per year.

But remember that there are a lot of factors that can affect insurance premiums.

expert

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

expert-image
Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.
“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

Compare SR-22 insurance rates with other states

Alabama$1,702/Year
Alaska$1,419/Year
Arizona$1,916/Year
Arkansas$1,618/Year
California$2,238/Year
Colorado$2,177/Year
Connecticut$1,654/Year
Florida$3,288/Year
Georgia$1,795/Year
Hawaii$1,523/Year
Idaho$1,115/Year
Illinois$1,380/Year
Indiana$1,418/Year
Iowa$1,363/Year
Kansas$1,581/Year
Louisiana$3,390/Year
Maine$1,141/Year
Maryland$2,020/Year
Massachusetts$1,900/Year
Michigan$4,041/Year
Mississippi$1,502/Year
Missouri$2,504/Year
Montana$1,966/Year
Nebraska$2,001/Year
Nevada$2,632/Year
New Hampshire$1,015/Year
New Jersey$2,370/Year
North Dakota$1,315/Year
Ohio$1,240/Year
Oregon$1,653/Year
Rhode Island$1,887/Year
South Carolina$1,998/Year
South Dakota$1,681/Year
Tennessee$1,458/Year
Texas$2,113/Year
Utah$1,816/Year
Virginia$1,343/Year
Washington$1,473/Year
Washington, D.C.$2,065/Year
West Virginia$1,520/Year
Wisconsin$1,738/Year
Wyoming$1,808/Year
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Bob Haegele
Contributing Researcher

 
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Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.

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